The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-11-22
RAILROAD RATES ON OIL.
THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION
HEARING COMPLAINTS.

George Rice, of Marietta, o., tho
Plaintiff in the Case-Several Roads
Charged With Illegally Favoring
the Standard Oil Company in Trans
portation Charges and Facilities.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2l.-The Interstate
Commerce Commission to-day began the
hearing of complaints in the Standard Oil
Company cases. These are the complaints
of George Rice, of Marietta, o., against a
number of railroads, alleging against some
discrimination in favor of the Standard Oil
Company, against others violations of the
long and short haul clause, and against all
unreasonable and unjust rates. Fifty or
sixty gentlemen are in observation-disclosures
and witnesses-and the proceedings are
likely to consume several days.
The complaint against the Louisville and
Nashville road was read in full and the
points wherein it differed from the others
were explained by Judge Loomis verbally.
The reply of the Louisville and Nashville
Company was also read. A general denial
is made of unreasonable charges and of
violations of the long and short haul pro-
vision, and the alleged discrimination is ex-
planned upon the theory that the Standard
Oil Company furnished its own tank cars,
while the complainant ships in barrels in
the companys cars, thereby causing a sub
stantial difference of circumstances and
conditions.
DISPOSITIONS READ.
The case having thus been stated on both
sides the counsel for the complainants began
reading the depositions. The first deposi-
ton was that of Virgil Powers, Commis-
SiOnpf of tho So1If y ailuyaxr ond Sraap1-
ship Association. In substance, he testified
to a belief that the rate per 100 pounds
should be the same whether oil is carried in
tanks or barrels. His further testimony
tended to show tnat tank cars recorded as
of given capacity were in reality much
larger. Fifty seven tank cars which had
been weighed showed an aggregate capacity
of A, 600 pounds more than recorded by the
company, upon which the charges were
based.
The deposition of Charles A. Sindoll, Sec
retary of the Southern Railway and Steam
ship Association, was similar to that of Mr..
Powers.
w. L. Halsey, of Huntsville, Ala, of the
firm Of C. H. & w. L. Halsey. agents of
the Standard Oil Company, and j. NJ. San
ford, railroad agent at Huntsville, testified
with respect to the shipment of oil to the
former in barrels, and to the rates charged
thereon.
THE UNION TANK LINE.
H. r. Payne, of Cleveland, O., Assistant
Manager of the Union Tank Line, was
sworn, and his examination consumed the
afternoon session. He had been subponaed
to bring certain books and papers showing
the capacities Of all the cars of his company,
but acting under advice he had not brought
them. The witness testified that the Union
Tank Line cars were owned by the Standard
Oil Company of Ohio. He could not
testify whether it was owned and operated
entirely by the Standard Oil Company, Of
Ohio. Some railroads paid mileage on tank
cars and some did not. He was not prepared
to state definitely what lines did or did not,
nor what circumstances influenced the mat
ter The Union Tank Line Company owned
about 5000 cars The other tank car com
panies of the country owned over 1900, in
cluding the Green Line, whose cars number
over l. 100